Antibody - A modified type of serum globulin synthesized by lymphoid tissue in response to antigenic stimulus. By virtue of specific combining sites each antibody reacts with only one antigen.
Anucleate - Having no nucleus.
Azurophilic granules - Reddish-purple granules (lysosomes) that may be visible in lymphocytes, particularly large lymphocytes. These are also known as primary granules or nonspecific granules.
Basophilic granules - Specific granules present in the cytoplasm of basophils. These granules are large and stain purple-black due to their strong affinity for basic stain.
B-cell - Bone marrow derived lymphocytes which produce humoral antibodies.
Biconcave - Having two concave surfaces.
Cellular Immunity - The capacity of a small proportion of lymphoid population to exhibit response to a specific antigen.
Chromomere - The centrally located granular portion of the platelet.
Clone - A population of cells descended from a single cell.
Delayed Hypersensitivity - (part of cellular immunity) that develops slowly over a period of 24-72 hours after an antigenic stimulus. It consists of an accumulation of cells around small vessels and/or nerves. Example: Tuberculin skin test reaction.
Digestive Enzyme - A substance that catalyzes or accelerates the process of digestion.
Eosinophilic Granules - Specific granules present in the cytoplasm of eosinophils. These granules are large, refractile spheres which stain reddish-orange due to their strong affinity for acid stain.
Erythrocyte (red blood cell, RBC) - One of the elements found in peripheral blood. Normally the mature form is a non-nucleated, circular, biconcave disk adapted to transport respiratory gases.
Fixed Macrophage - A phagocyte that is non-motile.
Free Macrophage - An ameboid phagocyte present at the site of inflammation.
Graft Rejection - A transplanted tissue that is rejected by the body's antibodies.
Graft-vs.-Host Reaction - A complication that occurs when an implanted piece of tissue, which contains antibodies, rejects the host's tissue.
Granulocyte - A leukocyte which contains granules in its cytoplasm, i.e., neutrophilic, eosinophilic, or basophilic granules.
Half-life - is the length of time it takes for half of the cells circulating at a given time to leave the blood for the tissues.
Hemocyte - Any blood cell or formed element of the blood.
Hemostasis - A mechanism of the vascular system to arrest an escape of blood. It involves an interaction between blood vessels, platelets, and coagulation.
Heparin - A mucopolysaccharide acid which, when present in sufficient amounts, functions as an anticoagulant by inhibiting thrombin.
Histamine - A powerful dilator of capillaries and a stimulator of gastric secretions.
Humoral Immunity - Acquired immunity produced after response to an antigenic stimulus in which B cells produce circulating antibodies.
Hyalomere - the clear, blue non-granular zone surrounding the chromomere of a platelet.
Immune Response - The interaction of a cell and an antigen that results in a proliferation of the cell and a capacity to produce antibodies.
Isotonic Fluid - A fluid whose elements have an equal osmotic pressure.
Leukocyte (white blood cell, WBC) - One of the formed elements of the blood; involved primarily with the body's defense.
Lysosome - A microscopic body within cell cytoplasm; contains various enzymes, mainly hydrolytic, which are released upon injury to the cell.
Megakaryocyte - A giant cell of the bone marrow from which platelets are derived.
Mononuclear - A cell having a single nucleus.
